The purpose of this study is to analyze the recent trends in the headteacher qualification system and national headteachers’ standards in the UK, which operates headteacher qualification training courses similar to that of Korea, and critically analyze errors found in previous studies in Korea. Also, this study aims to suggest the implications for improving the principal qualification system and developing professional standards for principals in Korea. For this study, a literature analysis is the research method. The main research results are: First, the UK builds a career development system that develops from teachers to senior leaders, headteachers, and executive leaders by developing various national professional qualifications programs for general teachers and school leaders. Second, the UK headteacher qualification system is part of the national professional qualification system and linked to school leadership development. Third, the operation of the headteacher qualification program has changed from a centralized system centered on institutions affiliated with the Department of Education to a distributed system in which various institutions (suppliers) such as universities and school associations participate. Fourth, the knowledge, skills, and leadership behaviors of the principal are specified, and these are developed through various educational methods and field practice-based evaluation tasks. Fifth, headteachers’ standards specify the headteacher s professional responsibilities and apply in headteacher qualification programs, headteacher s professional development, and headteacher performance evaluation. Based on the results of this study, tasks that can be reviewed in the process of improving the principal qualification system in Korea and developing the headteacher s professional standards were derived and suggested